Testing some Instrument LED

[jwill911]

I ordered "vintage" instrument LEDs for my gauges along with the in-line fuse. As Engelbert mentions in the in-line fuse install instructions removing the headlight switch from the dash makes it easier to connect to the black/blue wires, of which there are two.

Removing the switch was not readily apparent, so I referred to the manual. For those who don't have a manual:
1 - Using a small screw driver pry the center from the switch knob.
It's a soft rubber material so no damage to the knob.
2 - Once the center of the knob is out there's a 10mm nut holding the knob on, after removing the nut remove it wiggle and pull the knob comes off pretty easy.
3 - The manual says use a small spanner to remove the ring holding the switch in place. I didn't have one but found in my tool box a "Sears Professional" snap ring pliers which conveniently spans the shaft of the switch and fits two of the holes in the ring, turning CCW and off it comes right off.
4 - You'll need to reconnect the negative cable to the battery temporarily to determine which of the two black/blue wires powers the gauge lights.
5 - Connect the in-line fuse in series with that one and you're done.

Sorry no pictures I didn't take the time to document during the process.

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by jwill911

Hi Engelbert,
Are these available now or coming soon?
I realized after posting my last message they are not yet posted on your website, and your last post contained the key word "will".
I'll patiently wait availability.
John

The LED's are available now. Go to Carmagic, External Kits

I have them available for the US (red) and Euro (yellow) lenses, See below.



This is a complete set and inludes the following:

The complete Kit for "US" RED Lenses Includes:
Front:
2 each Side Marker LED's - Yellow
2 each Side Marker/Turn Signal LED's - Yellow
Rear:
2 each Rear Brake/Tail light LED's - RED
2 each Back up light LED - Bright White
2 each Turning Signal LED's - RED
2 each Side Marker LED's - RED
1 Flasher Relay for LED Turning Signal
2 LED's for Turning Signal Indicator in Tach Green
1 Wire with connector for Indicator
1 Installation Instruction

The complete Kit for "EURO" AMBER Lenses Includes:
Front:
2 each Side Marker LED's - Yellow
2 each Side Marker/Turn Signal LED's - Yellow
Rear:
2 each Rear Brake/Tail light LED's - RED
2 each Back up light LED - Bright White
2 each Turning Signal LED's - Yellow
2 each Side Marker LED's - Yellow
1 Flasher Relay for LED Turning Signal
2 LED's for Turning Signal Indicator in Tach Green
1 Wire with connector for Indicator
1 Installation Instruction

Thanks all who made some great suggestions and comment and helped to make this a great set.

If you pre-ordered the set, those were shipped last Friday.

I will add the option to the web page so partial kits can be ordered, like turning signal kit, etc.

Thanks
Engelbert

[david914]

Finally installed my LED gauge lamps from rothaus. I chose the vintage white and am very pleased with the results! Big thank you to Englebert for his product!

I have noticed that the clock isn't as bright as the other gauges in my car. I tried rotating the new LED and even without the spacer (it won't really go in any further, but I thought it was worth a shot) with no discernable change in brightness. I can only guess that the clock face is so close to the front of the gauge housing that it isn't allowing as much light to come around. Anybody else notice this?

[emac]

David. Mine is the same. But who looks at the clock!!
Ernie

[david914]

Good to know. I didn't think it was anything wrong with the new LED, just seemed odd that the improvement isn't near as great as with the other gauges. I'm very pleased overall though!

[rothaus]

I agree, the clock is to most difficult gauge to illuminate. For the clock the spacer is needed, because the LED's at the tip would just touch the face from the back side and would not help.

Thanks for the feedback.
Engelbert

[rothaus]

I have now available a Dimmer for instrument lights.

Most of the original dimmers in the light switch don't work any more or just not right. This dimmer is prewired plug and play, and mounts below the knee pad, at the right side of the steering wheel, on the existing nut from the knee pad.



Cheers
Engelbert

[david914]

Nice accessory Engelbert. I wanted to reiterate that your gauge LED's are one of the best upgrades that I have done to my car. The difference in gauge brightness is incredible. Very pleased!

[Eclectic911]

Just ordered a set of instrument lights for my SC. Hope they go in as easy as everybody claims.
If they work well, I'll order the external lights.

[Bergo]

I ordered a set of gauges LEDs and indicator LEDs, hoping they arrive soon, rushing to get car done to take down to Luftgekuhlt.

[AHudson]

Originally Posted by david914

Nice accessory Engelbert. I wanted to reiterate that your gauge LED's are one of the best upgrades that I have done to my car. The difference in gauge brightness is incredible. Very pleased!

I'd like to reiterate the reiteration! No kidding, EVERY time I get in my car at night, I'm amazed - and appreciative! - of the brightness.

The interior lights are possibly too bright! The gauge lights are absolutely fantastic. Need turning down a notch, which is quite a difference from the old "squint squint, do I have any fuel left?" of old. Truly a great, modern, easy upgrade.

[PabloX]

Tonight, I put these LEDs into my speedo and clock. The next one was the tach but I have a question. Is it necessary to remove the steering wheel to get the tach out? It sure seems like it is.

The next question is should I orient the LEDs in any particular direction relative to the gauge?

Thanks.

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by PabloX

Tonight, I put these LEDs into my speedo and clock. The next one was the tach but I have a question. Is it necessary to remove the steering wheel to get the tach out? It sure seems like it is.

The next question is should I orient the LEDs in any particular direction relative to the gauge?

Thanks.

The instruction suggests to remove the steering wheel, however, some people did it with the wheel installed.


I LED's should be installed to the shine left and right from the housing not against the housing, see image below.



Hope this helps, enjoy your gauges.
Engelbert

[PabloX]

Thanks Engelbert!

[Slowroller]

Hi Engelbert, thanks for the quick response. I'm putting my order in today.
Joe

[fanaudical]

One more happy customer here (vintage white). These made a huge improvement!

[Uwon]

Originally Posted by rothaus

I have now available a Dimmer for instrument lights.

Most of the original dimmers in the light switch don't work any more or just not right. This dimmer is prewired plug and play, and mounts below the knee pad, at the right side of the steering wheel, on the existing nut from the knee pad.



Cheers
Engelbert

Interesting. Will that dimmer handle the power required for the footwell blowers? My original switch and resistor is caput. I don’t have an engine bay heater fan.
Johan

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by Uwon

Interesting. Will that dimmer handle the power required for the footwell blowers? My original switch and resistor is caput. I don’t have an engine bay heater fan.
Johan

Sorry, this dimmer is only for the LED's, and cannot handle the power for the blower.

[ChrisHoover]

Does anyone know of source for the tach turn signal bulb sockets? The bulbs are T5 Wedgebase W2x4.6d. The sockets may be VDO N05-800-218

[PatrickM]

So I installed the Vintage white bulbs and love them. However, after driving the car, I discovered that the red light at the top of the oil and temp gauge will not go out and my parking brake lamp stays on as well. These didn't use to be a problem and functioned as expected.